The 2025 NFL Draft is just a day away, and speculation continues to swirl around the San Francisco 49ers' plans with the No. 11 overall pick. Many expect the team to address the trenches early. Still, with several roster needs, it's difficult to predict precisely what general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will do on Thursday night.
Following a quieter-than-usual offseason that saw several key contributors depart, the 49ers face some depth concerns across the roster. With 11 total selections this week, they'll look to reload and reinforce key positions.
Several updated mock drafts have surfaced since our last roundup. Here's a look at what experts are now projecting for San Francisco—with one position group the primary focus.
Peter Schrager (ESPN)
49ers at No. 11: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
"I'd be shocked if Nolen fell out of the top 15 at this point -- he might be the fastest riser in this draft," Schrager wrote. "He's quick, is a people mover and has had a great predraft process. Everyone is focused on Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, but Nolen is the Rebels' prospect I hear about more. Don't be shocked if he goes before Mason Graham, the more heralded defensive tackle.
"The defensive line was once a real strength of the 49ers. It's time to return to that era."
Mock draft link: ESPN
ESPN (NFL Nation)
ESPN's NFL Nation reporters contributed to a collaborative mock draft, with Nick Wagoner selecting for the 49ers.
49ers at No. 11: DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
"Williams' lack of pass-rush production (14 sacks in three seasons) and a 2024 ankle injury bring questions but he should help San Francisco's woeful run defense right away and get plenty of one-on-one pass-rush opportunities opposite Nick Bosa," Wagoner wrote. "While San Francisco would love a trade down, sticking at 11 and landing Williams would allow the team to bolster the interior of the defensive line in the middle rounds."
The Athletic (staff)
The Athletic released a collaborative mock draft featuring team reporters making selections for the clubs they cover. Matt Barrows handled the pick for the 49ers.
49ers at No. 11: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
"If the board fell this way, the 49ers would be looking at Nolen, Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart and Texas tackle/guard Kelvin Banks Jr," Barrows wrote. "Nolen wins that competition because the interior of San Francisco's defensive line is currently bereft of talent, and because he's such a good scheme fit.
"Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek wants powerful defensive tackles who spring off the snap and attack gaps. That's Nolen, who had 35 quarterback pressures last season and was a strong tackler in run defense. With Nolen on board, the 49ers would be on the lookout for a bigger-bodied defensive tackle later in the draft, someone like Ohio State's Tyleik Williams, Texas' Alfred Collins or Oregon's Jamaree Caldwell."
Matt Maiocco (NBC Sports Bay Area)
49ers at No. 11: DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
"Stewart has incredible blends of size (6-foot-5, 267 pounds), strength, speed (4.59 in the 40-yard dash), agility, athleticism (40-inch vertical) and motor," Maiocco wrote. "The 49ers should not be scared off by his lack of production. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will believe he can get the most out of Stewart's ability, which would make this selection a home run.
"His 4.5 sacks over three seasons is a concern. But the draft is not about what a player does in college; it's about what he does in the NFL. Stewart is difficult to pass up because of his unique traits."
Mock draft link: NBC Sports Bay Area
Charles Davis (NFL.com)
49ers at No. 11: DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
"There has been a lot of talk this offseason about the 49ers' need for pass-rush help opposite Nick Bosa," Davis wrote. "In this projection, San Francisco takes a chance on a player with great talent but very limited production (4.5 sacks in three years at Texas A&M) to show for it."
Mock draft link: NFL.com
Kyle Crabbs (The 33rd Team)
49ers at No. 11: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
"A bit of an unexpected draft day slide for Mason Graham can end up being a blessing for San Francisco," Crabbs wrote. "If Mykel Williams were there, I'd pick him. If Kelvin Banks Jr. were there, I'd pick HIM. Instead, Graham tumbles a few extra spots into the 49ers' lap."
Mock draft link: The 33rd Team
Josh Edwards (CBS Sports)
49ers at No. 11: DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
"San Francisco does not often stray from the prototypical looking defensive linemen," Edwards wrote. "They want length to not only leverage the opponent, but impact pass lanes. Mykel Williams is still a relatively young prospect who has all the traits to be the next success story in the Bay Area."
Mock draft link: CBS Sports
Bryan DeArdo (CBS Sports)
DeArdo reviewed 12 mock drafts from CBS Sports, ESPN, and NFL.com analysts, using the data to create a consensus mock based on how frequently each prospect was projected to specific first-round slots.
49ers at No. 11: DE Mike Green, Marshall
"The 49ers are expected to use this pick on either a cornerback, an offensive tackle or a pass rusher," DeArdo wrote. "Multiple mocks have them selecting Green, who last year led the entire FBS with 17 sacks. His 23 tackles for loss also led the Sun Belt Conference."
Mark Stolte (Pro Football Network 3-round mock)
49ers at No. 11: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
"The San Francisco 49ers are in desperate need of a defensive tackle," Stolte wrote. "Their current starters, Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens, are nothing special, amassing just four sacks and nine hurries on 321 pass-rushing snaps in total.
"Enter Walter Nolen, a 21-year-old 3-tech who showed the promise in his final year of college that had him ranked as a five-star out of high school. Pass rushing alongside Nick Bosa should help him acclimate to the NFL very quickly."
49ers at No. 43: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
"The 49ers are going to have to cough up the money for Brock Purdy soon, which means a huge limit on their spending elsewhere," Stolte wrote. "Pair this with the fact that Trent Williams is almost certainly going to retire sometime soon, and it makes a lot of sense to me that they select his eventual replacement.
"Josh Conerly Jr. played 1,984 snaps with the Oregon Ducks, with a majority of those coming from left tackle. In that time, he's allowed just two sacks and 26 pressures. Some unbelievable chops in the pass-blocking game. He has seen a good split of snaps in both the gap- and zone-rushing schemes, showing promise in both. This is particularly important considering the 49ers were second in zone rushing attempts."
No. 75: LB Barrett Carter, Clemson
No. 100: TE Gunnar Helm, Texas
Mock draft link: Pro Football Network